National security team briefs Obama on Egypt

WASHINGTON (AP) — White House officials say President Barack Obama’s national security team is briefing the president on the upheaval in Egypt and their conversations by phone with leaders in the region.

In a statement issued Thursday, White House officials say calls have been made to officials in Egypt and elsewhere to convey the importance of a quick and responsible return of full authority to a democratically elected civilian government.

The statement says U.S. officials are also pushing for a transparent political process without violence in Egypt and urging the new government to avoid any arbitrary arrests of ousted President Mohammed Morsi or his supporters.

Calls were made to officials in Egypt, Israel, Qatar, Turkey and Norway.